Have It All: Three-Row SUVs With Great MPGs

Getting the perfect vehicle isn’t always easy—the more you narrow down your options, the easier it can become to get just what you need, but it can also become tricky to find a lot of vehicles that check all of your boxes. If you’re looking at used cars for sale and your boxes are: 1) a three-row SUV with plenty of passenger space, 2) a used model to save you some money, and 3) a vehicle with excellent fuel economy, then finding everything you want might feel impossible. Fortunately, it’s not impossible, particularly when you work with a dealership that understands how to help you find what you want and always puts your needs first.

Spoiler alert: we’re exactly that kind of dealership. Here at CBS Quality Cars, we’re committed to helping all our customers find what they’re looking for and ensuring they drive away completely happy. Case in point: if you’re looking for a used SUV with three rows of seating that also gets terrific gas mileage, then we’re here to tell you that such a thing does exist. Not only that, but you actually have quite a few great options that can meet your needs and ensure you go further between stops for gas. We will focus on models from 2020 just to keep things simple, but you have numerous model years that will work well for you. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites…

The Toyota Highlander

The king of large SUVs with remarkable fuel economy is the Toyota Highlander, specifically a model with its available hybrid engine. In fact, we’ve had customers do a double-take when they see the kind of fuel efficiency the Highlander can achieve and ask us if there’s a typo on the vehicle’s information. Even with its standard engine, the Highlander is still incredibly efficient; for the 2020 model year, Toyota gave it a major update and refresh, making this a fantastic one to look for as you shop for a used SUV.

With its hybrid engine, the 2020 Highlander can get an estimated 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, while a model with the standard 3.5L V6 engine gets an estimated 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway for 24 MPG combined.

The Ford Explorer

One of the most popular SUVs on the road, the Ford Explorer has been around since the start of the 1990s and earned a lot of fans in that time. With three rows of seating inside, the Explorer has been a favorite for families for decades, giving you plenty of space for everyone to stretch out in. The 2020 model year saw the release of an all-new and redesigned Explorer, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a used model with plenty of modern features. Ford also made a hybrid option available for 2020, offering some of the best fuel economy you can find on an SUV with seats inside for up to eight passengers.

With its available hybrid engine, the 2020 Explorer gets an estimated 27 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, while its 2.3L gas engine gets an estimated 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway for 24 MPG combined.

The Mitsubishi Outlander

In some ways, the Mitsubishi Outlander feels like it’s cheating when it comes to its fuel economy compared to the other models we’re looking at for one simple reason: a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) option. For the 2020 model year, this was a class-exclusive PHEV model, and it’s hard to beat the available all-electric driving range, even if it is relatively short. That said, there’s no denying that the Outlander is a popular option, and a 2020 model is a good one to choose since it enjoys the benefits of a refresh the previous year with some improved standard features that are perfect when looking at used models.

The Outlander PHEV gets an estimated 22 miles of all-electric range, while the standard 2.4L 4-cylinder engine allows it to get an estimated 25 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 27 MPG combined—impressive even without the PHEV option.

The GMC Acadia

Similar in design to the popular Chevy Traverse, the GMC Acadia is one of the most popular large SUVs on the market; plus, it has three rows of seating that make it an ideal choice for many families. GMC models have more refined interiors and typically come with superior technology and comfort features than Chevy vehicles, which is a big part of why we like this one so much. For the 2020 model year, the GMC Acadia received a facelift with updates inside and out, making it a great one to look at if you’re shopping for a used model.

In terms of fuel economy, the 2020 Acadia, with its available 2.0L turbocharged engine, gets an estimated 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG combined.

The Mazda CX-9

Another great option that beautifully illustrates how well some brands design their SUVs for efficiency, the Mazda CX-9 has been a favorite of drivers for many years now. You get three rows of seating that’s perfect for a growing family, plus a variety of comfort and tech features inside, depending on the trim and options you find. Standard safety technology was significantly improved for the 2020 model year, making it one of our favorite options when looking at used three-row SUVs since you know that any one you find will protect you and your loved ones.

For fuel efficiency, the 2020 CX-9 gets an estimated 22 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG combined if you find a model with front-wheel drive.

The Honda Pilot

One of the best things about the modern Honda lineup is that it offers a vehicle for pretty much every driver, making it easy to find whatever you’re looking for. At the top of Honda’s selection is the Pilot, an impressive three-row SUV that gives you plenty of room inside for your friends, family, and everything you need to bring with you. Unlike many of the other models we looked at, the Pilot didn’t receive much of an update for 2020, so you’ll find many similar options whether you look at a model from that year or one prior. This makes it easy to find what you’re looking for and still get great gas mileage.

The 2020 Honda Pilot gets an estimated 20 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG combined if you find one with front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Find the Used SUV You’ve Been Looking For

As you can see, you have more options than you might expect when it comes to getting a great SUV with seating inside for seven or eight people while also providing you with a terrific driving experience designed to keep your gas costs low. We’re a long way from the gas guzzlers of the 1990s—though you can still find some out there—and modern SUVs can deliver bold performance without taking you to the gas station every day. No matter what you’re looking for in your next vehicle, here at CBS Quality Cars, we’re committed to helping you find it, even if it’s something you’re not sure exists. We’ll work tirelessly to explore your options with you and ensure you drive away in a vehicle you love with the features you need.